DRUG COURT GRADUATES ITS FIRST 'LITTER'

LUCEDALE - Idice Terry's dream for a drug-free life has come true, with two
years of sobriety behind her and a diploma that shows she is one of nine
South Mississippi residents to graduate from the drug court program in
George and Greene counties.

"This program basically raised me all over again," Terry said Thursday
before the drug court's first-ever graduation. The program started in South
Mississippi in 2002 at the direction of Senior Circuit Judge Kathy King
Jackson.

Terry credits Joanne Byrd, the court's coordinator, and Jackson for leading
her to a life that no longer includes crack cocaine or crystal
methamphetamines and other drugs. She credits Jackson's efforts to start
the program with saving her life.

"I owe that woman my life," she said. "If she hadn't started this program,
there would've been nowhere else for me to go. I really feel like I owe her
and Joanne and my mom. My mom was a big supporter. I can never give back to
them what they gave me."

Jackson praised Terry and the eight drug court graduates for sticking with
the program.

"These are some of the most courageous people I know," Jackson said. "They
changed me. I look around at the nine of them and it's like my own kids. I
told them it was my first litter."

Mike Moore, former attorney general who pushed Jackson to start the court,
honored Jackson and the graduates Thursday. He paid special tribute to
Jackson, referring to her as a longtime friend and colleague, and one of
the "finest people to ever take a judge seat."

"She was one of the toughest judges," Moore said. "I have seen a
transformation. This is a program that she didn't have to do. This is a
program that she wanted to do. It's remarkable what I've seen achieved
here. I tell you what I call it. I call it a miracle."

Drug courts were started in the state to rehabilitate drug users through
treatment programs, intense supervision with drug testing and frequent
court appearances. Participants are drug tested, required to hold a job and
perform community service, and go to the library once a week, among other
things. If a person completes the program, the drug charge is removed from
their record.

There are 13 drug courts in the state, with 109 people presently enrolled
in the program for Jackson, George and Greene counties. Harrison, Hancock
and Stone counties also have a drug court along with other counties in the
state.

"It's the only thing I do every week that I look forward to doing," Jackson
said. "Every time I go to drug court, I feel better about people. It's the
most rewarding and heartbreaking thing I've ever done. When one fails, it
breaks your heart. But thankfully, the successes outnumber the failures."

Those graduating along with Terry on Thursday were William Darden, Belinda
Davis, Lisa Kyle, Tommie Kyle, Brad McDonald, Julia Mills, Michael Mills
and Tabbatha Smith.